Greensboro, NC -- The judge ruling over the John Edwards trial denied defense lawyers' request to dismiss corruption charges against their client. They argued prosecutors failed to prove the former presidential candidate intentionally violated the law.
These motions are very rarely successful, as it was in this case, but the defense felt it was worth a try because after 14 days of testimony and evidence presented by prosecutors, legal observers in the North Carolina courtroom say the government's case was weak.
Edwards is accused of masterminding a scheme to use nearly $1 million in secret payments from two wealthy donors to help hide his pregnant mistress as he sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008.
To prove guilt, prosecutors must show that Edwards not only knew about the money used in the cover-up, which he denies, but also that the former trial lawyer knew he was violating the law.
AP/WFMY News 2